2013 State of the Union


Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution reads: "He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the Union and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient".

President Obama is scheduled to give his 2013 State of the Union Address to Congress on Tuesday, February 12th at 9pm. This will be broadcast on many networks, and you will be given a handout and instructions for watching and taking notes for which you can earn extra credit.

Your further analysis of our State of the Union and the president's address is the subject of this discussion which will run through Monday, February 18th.

  • In one word, how would you describe the state of America- of the United States today? Are you and your family better off today than you were last year?
  • What are the key issues facing America today, and what are you looking to the president to say about them?
  • What did think about the president's speech? What did you agree with? What did you disagree with?
  • How did Congress react to the speech? How did the different parties characterize themselves through their applause?
  • What guests were recognized during the speech, and what do you think of their presence? Are there any guests that you think should have been invited and recognized who weren't?
  • What did you think about the Republican response?
  • What are your predictions for progess on these key issues by the president and Congress during 2013?: Immigration, Gun Violence, Economy, National Debt, Fiscal Cliff- Tax Increases and Spending Reductions, Energy, Education, Climate Change...
  • What ideas did you take away that you might investigate further for our Mock Congress in May?

This page will be updated with links to the text of the address, videos of the address and the Republican Response, and to expert analysis... following the Address on Tuesday, February 12th.